Another crazy year at CES this time with a bag chasing me

At CES, there is always a cool gadget that steals the show. This year, it was a bag. Believe it or not, the Forward X smart bag will follow you through the airport or wherever you need to go so you can walk without worry. If someone tries to take it, a loud alarm will sound that will make any potential thieves reconsider their move.

Smart assistants are getting built into everything these days and TVs are the newest thing. Sony showed off their new X900F. To fully integrate into the smart home, Sony’s 2018 Android TVs have Google Assistant built-in, which makes it incredibly easy to discover and access content, as well as control other smart home devices. The Google Assistant works just by pushing the microphone button on the remote and using your voice to ask a question or say a command. This TV also features the largest LED class size, X1 Extreme processor, X-Motion Clarity and Dolby Vision providing the ultimate 4K HDR viewing experience.

As the screen size gets larger, motion blur can be a problem especially in fast-moving scenes. The X900F series solves this issue by using a new technology they are calling X-Motion Clarity that keep fast action images smooth and natural. The new X-Motion Clarity technology utilizes Sony’s proprietary direct LED panel local dimming algorithm to control the luminance and optimize its duration so pictures are clear and smooth with virtually no loss in brightness.

Having this kind of picture clarity is something not missed by the big studios, that’s why Paramount also showcased some of their titles that are 4K and HDR such as Interstellar and the bit hit movie saga Transformers.

Convenience is also always a big part of the show. Gadgets and technologies that make things easier, more accessible such as portable drives. Now using solid state technology, SanDisk brought the SanDisk Extreme portable SSD. Portable SSDs are great for people who want to take their data on the go, and be able to reliably access and move that data at superfast speeds. The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is capable of high-speed transfers of up to 550MB/s, and also features an IP55 durability rating, so it can stand up to rain, splashes, spills, and dust – great for when you are out on location or an avid traveler. Offered in capacities of up to 2TB, this drive is perfect for extensive photo shoots – with enough capacity to take a portfolio on the go, or back up instantly while out in the field. It works with PC and Mac and a 350GB Drive retails for $129.

In the same space, WD brought the durable My Passport Wireless SSD. A shock-resistant SSD inside helps keep content safe from drops of up to 1 meter. Wirelessly stream 4K videos and view photos with the My Cloud™ mobile app, or export RAW images and edit using 3rd party apps.

Cars had a stronger presence at the show and this year Toyota revealed their E-Pallate concept vehicle. An autonomous platform vehicle designed for logistics, ride sharing and retail. Imagine being able to shop for shoes by having the store come to you. Toyota is initially teaming up with Uber, Pizza Hut and Amazon, where Toyota offers complete end-to-end hardware and software. The first real-life demonstration will be the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Hyundai revealed their tech flagship fuel cell vehicle NEXO. The new SUV features Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that expand its autonomous driving potential. NEXO is a part of Hyundai’s growing eco-vehicle portfolio and marks Hyundai’s continued momentum toward having the industry’s most diverse CUV powertrain lineup. The NEXO model will spearhead Hyundai Motor’s plans to accelerate development of low emission vehicles, in line with their renewed goal of introducing 31 eco-friendly models to global markets by 2020.

Overall it is a show loaded with tech, cars and cool wacky stuff. My kind of show.